Michelle Obama's red dress: Predictable politicking?

U.S. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama welcome Chinese President Hu Jintao to a state dinner at the White House on January 19, 2011.Jewel Samad
/ AFP/Getty Images

U.S. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama arrive to welcome Chinese President Hu Jintao on the North Portico at the White House for State Dinner in Washington, DC, on January 19, 2011.Jewel Samad
/ AFP/Getty Images

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While strained China-U.S. relations have dominated news headlines for weeks due to the arrival of Chinese President Hu Jintao, it was all smiles Wednesday at the state dinner in Washington, D.C., as all eyes were on Michelle Obama, alongside her husband, U.S. President Barack Obama, honouring China's official American visit.

So it was only befitting that Mrs. Obama chose to wear red: a fiery colour that symbolizes joy and good luck in traditional Chinese culture and is synonymous with the second-ranking superpower's long-standing communist rule. Modern China's grandfather political figure Mao Zedong sometimes referred to his homeland as 'Red China.'

While her style choices may seem eclectic and unpredictable, Michelle Obama — who has been known to mix affordable brands such as J. Crew with various luxury labels — knows how to use predictable politicking to spread her influence beyond the red carpet.

During the arrival ceremony of Hu Jintao, Michelle Obama paired her red gloves to match her husband's burgundy red tie.

The Obamas seemed as though they were trying really hard to please their foreign guests, despite protests of China's poor human-rights record.

The red silk organza gown designed by Sarah Burton of the London house Alexander McQueen (Burton was recently appointed creative director for the label after the late designer's passing in February 2010) cements Michelle Obama's stature among Hollywood starlets, socialites and royalty.

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